Can you reserve a site at Bird Creek Campground?

Yes, Bird Creek Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Bird Creek Campground have?

10 sites in total, of which 9 can be booked.

Are pets allowed at Bird Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bird Creek Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Bird Creek Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Bird Creek Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Bird Creek Campground, Nevada — 9 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Bird Creek Recreation Area is located in the Duck Creek Basin, high on the Schell Creek Range. It sits at an elevation of 8,200 feet, approximately 25 miles from the small city of Ely. Hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle riding are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area.

Recreation

The Ranger Trail can be accessed from this campground. The Ranger Trail is a designated OHV trail that also accommodates hiking and mountain biking use as well. The 30-mile Success Loop Scenic Drive is also in the area, with views of high desert and mountain terrain.

Facilities

The campground has 10 sites. Site A is a day-use group stie, site 5 is a mult-family site, sites 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 are single sites, sites 8 and 9 are double sites requiring a short walk from the parking area, on one to two bridges over Bird Creek. All sites have picnic and serving tables, campfire rings and grills.

Vault toilets and drinking water are provided seasonally. This is a "pack it in, pack it out" facility.

Natural Features

Bird Creek flows perennially through the campground. A mixed forest of juniper, pinyon pine and alder trees covers the area, but provides only limited shade.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (775) 289-3031.

Nearby Attractions

Cave Lake State Park and Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park are a few miles from Ely. Interesting historic stone ovens and an interpretive trail are available there. The Northern Nevada Railway in Ely has a museum and offers train rides.

Charges & Cancellations

All change and cancellation requests should be done through Recreation.gov.

The facts

9 bookable sites
10 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 site for day use only
9 accessible sites
Up to 100 people per site
Loops: BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA, Bird Creek Recreation Area

Site types

6 Standard Nonelectric
2 Group Walk To
1 Group Picnic Area
1 Management

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Shade
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

10 campsites at Bird Creek Campground

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Max rig	People
1	BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	—	6	♿ 🐾
2	BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	—	—	16	♿ 🐾
4	BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	♿ 🐾
6	BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	♿ 🐾
7	BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	6	♿ 🐾
B	BIRD CREEK RECREATION AREA	Management	—	—	—	—	12
5 (MULTI-FAMILY)	Bird Creek Recreation Area	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	—	32	♿ 🐾
8	Bird Creek Recreation Area	Group Walk To	Pull Through	Gravel	—	—	16	♿ 🐾
9	Bird Creek Recreation Area	Group Walk To	Pull Through	Gravel	—	—	16	♿ 🐾
Group Site A	Bird Creek Recreation Area	Group Picnic Area	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	100	♿ 🐾

Getting there

From Ely, travel north on Highway 93 to the town of McGill. From McGill, go north 3 miles on Highway 93, to the Duck Creek Basin turnoff. Proceed east on Duck Creek Basin Road and turn left at the sign for Bird Creek Recreation Area.

39.46333, -114.65306 · 39°27'48.0"N 114°39'11.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	1.4	1.4	1.2	2.0	1.6	0.7	0.8	0.8	1.1	1.0	0.8	1.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Bird Creek Campground

Can you reserve a site at Bird Creek Campground?: Yes, Bird Creek Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Bird Creek Campground have?: 10 sites in total, of which 9 can be booked.
Are pets allowed at Bird Creek Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Bird Creek Campground.
Does Bird Creek Campground have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Bird Creek Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Bird Creek Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Bird Creek Campground

East Creek Campground 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Timber Creek Campground 4.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Ward MTN. Campground (Murray Summit) 24.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wheeler Peak Campground 36.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Upper Lehman Creek Campground 37.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lower Lehman Creek Campground 38 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lehman Caves Tours 39.2 mi · Tickets · we watch it
Cleve Creek Campground 18.3 mi · Campground
Egan Crest Trailhead 21.8 mi · Facility
Ward Mountain Campground 24.4 mi · Campground
Sacramento Pass Rec. Area 30.1 mi · Facility
Lehman Caves Visitor Center 39.2 mi · Visitor Center

Contact

Phone 775-289-3031
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Bird Creek Campground